Update to mailing list members from The AQuAssociation Coordinator - (18/10/07)

 

Hey guys,

I just thought I would give all you AQuA members an update since there hasn't been much coming out of AQuA for quite some time.  My name is David Esteves and I am the new coordinator of AQuA for 2007/2008. Due to AQuA being dormant for quite some time, I have re-activated it and hope to build it to its once glamorous self. However AQuA has changed and taken on a newer more professional image, as well as more accepting morals.

            The name has had a slight change with it now being called the AQuAssociation, rather than just AQuA. The website has also been under the hammer, and has taken on a more sophisticated look that better fits the now. Yes the website has taken a step back from the colours and the bright colourful images; however, this isn't what being gay is all about. That is not to say that we are not proud, simply that we are taking a more professional look. Plus there will be a flag in our space as part of the possible new look. If you haven't seen the AQuAssociation's website please go visit it at: (http://www.une.edu.au/aqua). However, please note that it still is under major construction and there's currently not much up except for the main page. But keep a close eye on it as there should be more stuff up very soon.

            While the website has been developing, we have also created a MySpace, located at: (http://www.myspace.com/aquassociation). If you have a MySpace and you're not already a friend of our MySpace, please add yourself to the friends list, the more the better.  The MySpace will also be one of the ways, other than this mailing list and our website that the AQuAssociation will be communicating with you. Also, the photos from our events will also be posted on the MySpace.

            For those of you don't know there has been a Queer space at UNE for several years, even though it hasn't really been used for a quite some time. While in the past this space was not directly affiliated with the AQuAssociation, it has now been brought under the AQuAssociation. As such it will be fixed up and be open for use so keep posted for news on that. As part of the new image of the AQuAssociation, the Queer Space has also been re-named to the Q-Space. For those who are still not sure what the Q-Space is it is a safe and accepting place where the queer people of Armidale can come, meet and socialize. It doesn't matter if you're a queer student, staff member, community member, or even a queer supporter; all are welcome to this safe place. It is located via the veranda of building E-16, behind the arts building and next to the Oorala Center, on the UNE campus. The building is also known as the Sub Lodge, and it is a heritage listed building that was constructed around the same time as Booloominbah house. Also located in the building are the Environmental Office and the International Students Association (ISA) for UNE.

As well as some comfy lounges you'll also find a variety of information and resources for and about issues to do with the queer community. These include such information on safe sex and STDs as well as queer newspapers, queer culture, and much more. The upcoming AQuAssociation events are also advertised here. An internal phone may also be available for calls within the UNE network and to security if necessary. We also hope to purchase a coffee machine, if we manage to raise much needed funds, to make the Q-Space more comfortable and relaxing. We are also looking at getting a sound system and other items down there. So once it's re-opened please don't hesitate to use it. As it is there for you guys. I apologise for it not being re-opened earlier, however the Q-Space's Keys have only just been found/recovered.

            Also as part of the new AQuAssociation, there will be a committee formed.  This committee will form a firm backbone to the association to ensure it won't disappear off the radar again. If you'd like to apply to be on the committee please keep an eye on the website for a list of the positions and when applications for them will be open. I'm hoping through the forming of the committee the AQuAssociation will be able to grow and be better than ever with more events being held as well as more facilities being organised for the queer community. Also we are looking to try and get an office space for the AQuAssociation somewhere on the UNE campus so that the AQuAssociation will have a permanent base within Armidale and a place for the committee to organise the association's affairs.

            As you may already know, the AQuAssociation use to be under UNESA, however, it was removed from it just before UNESA's collapse in 2005. As such the AQuAssociation has remained as a separate identity since. This will remain so at this stage. This means that the AQuAssociation will not come under the new student rep group for UNE, the Undergrads@UNE and the Postgrads@UNE Committees; furthermore it will not be coming under Services UNE either. This is due to the feeling, by many people, that if it did it could lead to a collapse again, or another discrimination attack, to which was the reason for AQuA's removal from under UNESA. This is further backed by the general feeling being that people don't want it back under services as it use to be. Also the AQuAssociation is an Armidale association, not a UNE association. With this said their will still be two positions on the committee for the two Queer Officers of the two committees, however the type of these positions have not yet been decided.

            A major issue that the AQuAssociation is now facing is that of funding. This is due to the fact that the AQuAssociation has no money whatsoever. This means that we can't hold big events, or purchase new items for use by the queer community. Furthermore the Q-Space is also at jeopardy since we are not a UNE organisation and we have to pay the phone line rental, phone calls, insurance, as well as electricity on the Q-Space. These bills are becoming an ever-growing issue to which I have just become aware. If you have any suggestions on how or who we can approach to get funding, please contact me and let me know. One of the suggestions I have been given it to charge a small membership fee (perhaps voluntary) for the AQuAssociation, however I am not sure this will be a viable option and would most likely hinder the growth of the AQuAssociation rather than assist it. Your thoughts on this issue would also be greatly appreciated.

I would also just like to make it clear to all members now that the new AQuAssociation is not a selective group, nor is it about politics, and it is definitely not about segregation. I have been told that in the past AQuA was at some stages quite cliquey and selective. I just want to let you know now that the new AQuAssociation will NOT be like this nor will it have anything to do with such ideas. The new AQuAssociation is for all gay, lesbian, bi, transgender and intersex individuals. Be it that it's a person who is a student, staff member, community member, or even a queer friendly person. All are welcome, and will be accepted and supported. I reinforce that there will be no segregation, no matter what your gender. This statement is of course not to offend any members, only to let you know what the AQuAssociation is about.

Finally if it would be possible for all current AQuAssociation members to spread the news that where back, and to join the mailing list and the MySpace, as the more people the better. Also if you guys have any ideas, suggestions or criticisms of and for the new AQuAssociation please don't hesitate to email them in. You can either do this by emailing them into the mailing list or emailing it to the: aqua-owner@une.edu.au. Hopefully we can make the AQuAssociation better than ever.

Regards

David Esteves

Coordinator

AQuAssociation

Queer Officer

Undergrads@UNE